In a city where homes usually drain wallets month after month, one building has flipped the flow of money on its head.
When Living pays You Back
In Mumbai, where homeowners routinely shoulder hefty monthly maintenance bills, a residential society in South Mumbai has sparked fascination for operating on an entirely different principle—residents don’t pay maintenance fees, they receive money instead. The society, Jolly Maker, is located in Cuffe Parade, one of the city’s most expensive neighbourhoods, and has become a talking point online for its unusual financial model.
According to claims circulating on social media, flat owners at Jolly Maker receive an annual payout of roughly Rs 2.5 lakh. The arrangement came into the spotlight through an Instagram video by Vishal Bhargava, a content creator who focuses on real estate and infrastructure. In the video, Bhargava described the building as “one of the most prestigious towers of Mumbai” and said homeowners are paid by the society rather than charged for upkeep.
“Get paid Rs 2.5 lakh to stay in this building in Mumbai. Yes, the building society actually pays the homeowner to live here,” Bhargava said. He added: “It’s so rich that owners don’t pay a maintenance fee to the society. Instead, the society pays every homeowner a dividend.”
Unlike most South Mumbai societies, where monthly maintenance charges can be substantial, Jolly Maker residents reportedly incur no such costs. Instead, they receive a year-end payout described as a dividend, funded by income generated by the society itself.
A Deal from the Past, Buzz in the Present
Bhargava explained that the origins of this financial structure trace back to the 1970s. At the time, the builder selling apartments at Jolly Maker reportedly offered buyers an additional investment opportunity linked to another commercial property in Nariman Point.
“In the 1970s, when the builder was selling apartments here, he gave an offer. Buy his other building at Nariman Point as well by paying 40% extra.” Bhargava said. “That building today earns a rent of Rs 50 lakh per month, which is used for maintenance and paying back to the society.”
The video gained further traction after Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma reshared it on X, commenting: “You won’t belive this math! And it is true”. Online reactions ranged from admiration to disbelief. One user wrote, “Good old-fashioned capitalism, market it and brand it the people will do the rest,” while another joked, “Haunted toh nahi (Is it haunted?)”. Others questioned the numbers, saying, “Math is not mathing.”
While the claims continue to circulate widely, Moneycontrol.com noted it could not independently verify their authenticity.
In Mumbai’s concrete jungle, this building stands as a reminder that sometimes, the walls work for you.
Summary
A South Mumbai housing society, Jolly Maker in Cuffe Parade, has gone viral for reportedly paying residents instead of charging maintenance fees. Flat owners are said to receive around Rs 2.5 lakh annually, funded by rental income from a commercial property bought decades ago. While widely discussed online, the claims remain unverified, fuelling curiosity and debate.
